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In-form Al-Hilal take on Qatari giants Al-Rayyan at the Ahmad bin Ali Stadium on Tuesday in their opening game of the 2024-25 AFC Champions League season. It's their first game of the revamped format wherein teams have been divided into West Region and East Region, and will play eight different opponents in the league phase, with the top eight sides from each region qualifying for the round of 16.
Continuing from where they left off, Al-Hilal have begun the new season on a positive note. With three wins from three in the Saudi Pro League, the Blue Waves are at the top of the league table with nine points from a possible nine, preceding what was their Saudi Super Cup win.
Jorge Jesus' side, which romped to the league title last season without losing a single game, will now aim to channel that momentum into the Champions League.
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Meanwhile, Al-Rayyan have picked up the pace again following a brief period of slump. After their back-to-back losses to Al-Duhail and Al-Gharafa, the Lions have won their next three in a row.
They won both their fixtures in the Qatar Stars Cup followed by a 4-2 victory over Al-Shahania in the local top football division, the Qatar Stars League.
Al-Rayyan vs Al-Hilal Head-To-Head and Key Numbers
- This will be the 11th clash between the sides in history.
- Of the previous 10, the Saudi side won six and lost only twice.
- After going their first seven encounters with their Qatari rivals unbeaten, the Blue Waves have lost two of their last three.
- In their last meeting, which also happened in the AFC Champions League group stages, the side playing away from home won on both occasions: Al-Hilal won the first game 3-0 away before Al-Rayyan beat them 2-0 away in the return.
- The Blue Waves won their last four official games in a row and remain unbeaten in five this season.
Al-Rayyan vs Al-Hilal Prediction
Both teams come into the fixture on a good run of form, but at least one of them will see their winning run end here. Given the attacking quality in both camps though, we're predicting this one to end in a stalemate, albeit with a lot of goals.
Prediction: Al-Rayyan 2-2 Al-Hilal
Al-Rayyan vs Al-Hilal Betting Tips
Tip 1 - Result: Draw
Tip 2 - Goals over/under 2.5: Over 2.5 goals
Tip 3 - Both teams to score: Yes
